Ilocos group sees rise in rights abuses

Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur: The human rights group in Ilocos region is apprehensive that more abuses will be experienced with the military operations in Northern and Central Luzon declared by the Philippine Army in pursuit of the government’s all out war against members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

In a media statement, Ilocos Human Rights Advocates (IHRA) deputy secretary general Mary Ann Gabayan said “with the government’s all-out war policy, the unit’s operating troops in Ilocos will no doubt release their pent-up itch to terrorize peasant communities and harass political activists